A PAS domain-containing regulator controls flagella-flagella interactions in Campylobacter jejuni

The bipolar flagella of the foodborne bacterial pathogen Campylobacter jejuni confer motility, which is essential for virulence. The flagella of C. jejuni are post-translationally modified, but how this process is controlled is not well understood. In this work, we have identified a novel PAS-domain containing regulatory system, which modulates flagella-flagella interactions in C. jejuni. Inactivation of the cj1387c gene, encoding a YheO-like PAS6 domain linked to a helix-turn-helix domain, resulted in the generation of a tightly associated “cell-train” morphotype, where up to four cells were connected by their flagella. The morphotype was fully motile, resistant to vortexing, accompanied by increased autoagglutination, and was not observed in aflagellated cells. The Δcj1387c mutant displayed increased expression of the adjacent Cj1388 protein, which comprises of a single endoribonuclease L-PSP domain. Comparative genomics showed that cj1387c (yheO) orthologs in bacterial genomes are commonly linked to an adjacent cj1388 ortholog, with some bacteria, including C. jejuni, containing another cj1388-like gene (cj0327). Inactivation of the cj1388 and cj0327 genes resulted in decreased autoagglutination in Tween-20-supplemented media. The Δcj1388 and Δcj0327 mutants were also attenuated in a Galleria larvae-based infection model. Finally, substituting the sole cysteine in Cj1388 for serine prevented Cj1388 dimerization in non-reducing conditions, and resulted in decreased autoagglutination in the presence of Tween-20. We hypothesize that Cj1388 and Cj0327 modulate post-translational modification of the flagella through yet unidentified mechanisms, and propose naming Cj1387 the Campylobacter Flagella Interaction Regulator CfiR, and the Cj1388 and Cj0327 protein as CfiP and CfiQ, respectively

Synthesis and supramolecular chemistry of trianglimine macrocycles

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Determinación del índice de frescura en sardina pilchardus

Introduction: Sardine (Sardinha pilchardus) is pelagic specie, from Clupeidae family, being one of the most abundant fishes all over the world. The term "quality" in fish refers to the index of freshness evaluation in accordance to the Regulation (EC) No. 2406/96 of November 26th, namely the esthetical appearance, freshness and degree of deterioration that the fish had suffered. Objective: To evaluate the freshness index, hygienic quality and bromatological composition of sardines in different commercial shops in Beja, Alentejo. Methods: Four different lots of Sardinha pilchardus were evaluated from the four commercial shops (20 sardines/lots), and classification was made of the category of each of the lots was carried out by the Reg. (EC) No. 2406/96 tables. Physical-chemical analysis was made: determination of Total Volatile Basic Nitrogen (TVB-N), refractive index of vitreous humor (RI), pH, colour, texture, bromatological analysis, and microbiological analysis. Results: TVB-N values for the different samples was lower than 14 mg/100g, as mentioned in Reg. (EC) No 1022/2008 it should be lower than 20 to 30mg/100g, and therefore the 4 samples respected that criteria. Microbiological analysis showed that the samples were within the acceptable values. The sardines presented average nutritional values of 161 Kcal/100g, which are lower than reference values from INSA (2007) nutritional table, eventually due to the low fat content by this time of the year (Spring). Conclusion: The sardines showed freshness categories of Extra and A, and hence emphasized a satisfactory state for consumption. The most expounding analyzes for the determination of freshness were the TVB-N, the instrumental texture and the Refraction Index

Prevalence of intestinal parasites and molecular characterization of Giardia intestinalis, Blastocystis spp. and Entamoeba histolytica in the village of Fortín Mbororé (Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina)

Background: Intestinal parasites (IPs) are widely distributed worldwide and are one of the major contributors to gastrointestinal disease. Their prevalence is associated with poor access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of IPs, including soil-transmitted helminths (STH), and their relation to socioeconomic characteristics, as well as a first approach to molecularly characterize the types of Giardia intestinalis, Blastocystis spp. and Entamoeba histolytica present in an indigenous community from Puerto Iguazú, Misiones,Argentina. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural settlement of Fortin Mbororé between January and March 2018. Socioeconomic variables, household characteristics, and stool and blood samples were collected. Standard coprological techniques were used to analyze stool samples, and a complete hemogram was performed on the blood samples. Giardia intestinalis microscopy-positive samples were genetically typed by the β-giardin (bg) gene. Molecular identification of Blastocystis spp. subtypes and E. histolytica were carried out by amplification and sequencing of a partial fragment of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rDNA). Results: The overall prevalence of IPs was 92.7%, with 72.0% specifically for hookworm. IPs were significantly more prevalent in preschool- and school-age children (P < 0.05). No formal education (P = 0.035), the presence of unimproved floors (P = 0.001) and overcrowding (P = 0.005) were significantly associated with IP infection. Hookworm was associated with anemia (P = 0.019). Molecular characterization revealed the presence of E. histolytica sub-assemblages AII (12.5%), AIII (87.5%) and BIV (100%); one case of sub-assemblage D for G. intestinalis; and the presence of subtypes ST1 (14.8%), ST2 (14.8%) and ST3 (70.4%) of Blastocystis spp. Conclusions: Protozoans detected in this study are transmitted mainly through water contaminated with fecal matter,evidencing the need to improve the quality of water and sanitation for the inhabitants of Fortín Mbororé. Molecular characterization showed that domestic animals can be implicated in the zoonotic transmission of G. intestinalis and Blastocystis spp. to humans. A hyperendemic area for STH was found, with hookworm prevalence greater than 50%. Therefore, improvements in WASH as well as mass deworming programs need to be implemented in this area to control and decrease the prevalence of IPs in general and STH in particular.Fil: Candela, Ernesto. Universidad de Valencia; EspañaFil: Goizueta, Carolina. Fundación Mundo Sano; ArgentinaFil: Periago, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundación Mundo Sano; ArgentinaFil: Muñoz Antoli, Carla. Universidad de Valencia; Españ

Prevalence of intestinal parasites and related risk factors in rural localities from Pampa del Indio, Chaco, Argentina

Intestinal parasites are a significant cause of morbidity in endemic areas in many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Infections with intestinal parasites have been reported in multiple locations throughout Argentina, but infection prevalence is still unknown in many areas. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in rural areas surrounding Pampa del Indio, Chaco, Argentina, and to identify risk factors for human infections. In the current study, a survey of three rural neighborhoods surrounding the town of Pampa del Indio was conducted in July 2018. A total of 24 households were surveyed. A questionnaire to assess socio-economic and household variables was administered and fecal samples were collected. Of the 62 stool samples analyzed, an intestinal parasite prevalence of 46.8% (29 cases) was found. The most common parasite identified was Endolimax nana (22.6%), followed by Giardia intestinalis (17.7%), and Entamoeba coli (16.1%). Most of the intestinal parasites found were protozoa, but three cases of helminths (4.8%) were also identified. Participants were polyparasitized at a rate of 19.4%. This study did not identify any statistically significant risk factors for infection but revealed a high overall rate of parasitism in the selected communities.Fil: Richards, Lindsay Renee. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Delgado, Cintia. Fundación Mundo Sano; ArgentinaFil: Goy, Marcia. Hospital Dante Tardelli; ArgentinaFil: Liang, Song. Fundación Mundo Sano; ArgentinaFil: Periago, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundación Mundo Sano; Argentin

Interaction between spatial and temporal scales for entomological field data: Analysis of Aedes Aegypti oviposition series

Background In Argentina, Aedes aegypti represents an important public health threat, since it is the vector responsible for the transmission of dengue, chikungunya, zika and yellow fever. Mundo Sano Foundation has been carrying out periodic surveys of immature vector stages in several cities of northern Argentina. The main tool to mitigate their spread is through vector control. The identification of vector "hot spots" is an important key to design preventive program tools. Geostatistical techniques such as spatial autocorrelation (SAC) and kriging interpolation can be used to predict vector abundance in unsampled areas using data obtained from monitored sites. The knowledge of the spatial autocorrelation of vector abundance is fundamental and it can also be used to design disease surveillance strategies: To determine the characteristics of chemical control; to select ovitrap placement (distance between samples); and to determine the optimum sample size, among others. It is important to analyze the effect of the variation of the scale in the observed phenomenon. Methods This paper analyzes a two years series of weekly oviposition data from 25 ovitraps distributed in the urban area of a small city (104 measurements were collected for each ovitrap). We aim to understand how the relationship between sites measurements varies considering its relative location in the city, for different temporal sampling frequency or temporal resolution (TR). Different similarity measures between curves and graphic representations of these relationships, are explored. Among these, an innovative use of polar graphs -a tool commonly used to detect changes in satellite images- is examined. We evaluate variograms and SAC for multitemporal data (oviposition curves) at each TR. Results Similarity between curves does not show spatial continuity in relation to the spatial arrangement of ovitraps, may be due to the effect of processes that are only observable at the microhabitat scale or due to sociodemographic factors. As the temporal resolution is greater in a given area, a greater number of ovitraps are needed to capture the spatial heterogeneity of the abundance of the vector. At the maximum TR analyzed, the minimum distance of spatial correlations was set at 1000 m. This has implications on the quantity of ovitraps per area unit required in the field in order to obtain a good description of the population dynamics of Ae. aegypti at the peridomestic level. Conclusion The results would indicate that when varying the time scale of analysis, the spatial scale should be modified accordingly to adapt to the new data structure. The ability to predict ecological phenomena depends on the relationships between spatial and temporal scales. The approach and innovative statistical tools described in this study, based on empirical data from a field study, may be used by different Ae. aegypti monitoring and control programs in order to design and implement tailor-made interventions. It would allows to support not only the selection of field samples, and to obtain data interpolation parameters, but also to contribute to the development of vector abundance models.Fil: Lanfri, Sofía. Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales. Instituto de Altos Estudios Espaciales "Mario Gulich"; Argentina. Fundación Mundo Sano; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Espinosa, Manuel. Fundación Mundo Sano; ArgentinaFil: Lanfri, Mario. Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales. Instituto de Altos Estudios Espaciales "Mario Gulich"; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Periago, Maria Victoria. Fundación Mundo Sano; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Abril, Marcelo. Fundación Mundo Sano; ArgentinaFil: Scavuzzo, Carlos Marcelo. Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales. Instituto de Altos Estudios Espaciales "Mario Gulich"; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentin

Intestinal parasitic infections in a community from Pampa del Indio, Chaco (Argentina) and their association with socioeconomic and environmental factors

Neglected tropical diseases are a group of 20 disabling diseases, which, in particular, are the most common chronic infections in the most vulnerable people. This study aimed to characterize the infection by intestinal parasites (IPs) in dwellings from a peri-urban neighborhood in Pampa del Indio, Chaco (Argentina), and its association with socioeconomic and environmental variables. Single stool samples were collected from all individuals older than 1 year through household visits and processed using coprological sedimentation and flotation techniques. Standardized questionnaires were used at the household level to collect socio-economic information. Environmental variables were obtained from the Planetscope image, Landsat 8 images and remote sensors, while land-use layers were obtained through the use of a maximum likelihood algorithm. Stool samples were provided by 314 individuals. The prevalence of IPs found was 30.6% (n = 96), with a predominance of Giardia lamblia (12.7%, n = 40) and Hymenolepis nana (7.6%, n = 24). The only soil-transmitted helminth found was Strongyloides stercoralis with a 2.5% prevalence (n = 8). Individuals of adult age (> 18 years) were 0.65 times less likely to present parasitic infections with respect to children and adolescents. The only environmental variable that was closely associated with the presence of IPs, was the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), a measure of humidity; being higher around houses with positive individuals. Most of the IPs found in this study were of water-borne transmission and those transmitted directly from person-to-person, therefore fecal contamination is present. We believe that the low prevalence of STH in this area, which requires a passage through the soil, is related to the environmental characteristics, which are unsuitable for the development/permanence of the infective stages of these parasites. The geospatial data and tools used herein proved to be useful for the study of the relationship between the different factors that influence the presence of IPs in a community, from an eco-health approach.Fil: Scavuzzo, Carlos Matias. Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales. Instituto de Altos Estudios Espaciales "Mario Gulich"; Argentina. Fundación Mundo Sano; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Delgado, Cintia. Fundación Mundo Sano; ArgentinaFil: Goy, Marcia. Hospital Dr. Dante Tardelli; ArgentinaFil: Crudo, Favio. Fundación Mundo Sano; ArgentinaFil: Porcasi, Ximena. Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales. Instituto de Altos Estudios Espaciales "Mario Gulich"; ArgentinaFil: Periago, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundación Mundo Sano; Argentin

Handwashing promotion in 10-year-old children: intervention studies in Northern Argentina

Aunque el lavado de manos evita enfermedades infecciosas graves a bajo costo, sólo una de cada cinco personas se lava las manos después de ir al baño. Este estudio presenta una intervención diseñada interdisciplinariamente, corta y económica para promover el conocimiento sobre el lavado de manos en niños de 10 años y dos estudios piloto para evaluar su impacto. En el piloto 2016 (Puerto Iguazú, Argentina), se compararon las respuestas a una encuesta sobre lavado de niños que participaron y no participaron de la intervención. La intervención consistió en actividades lúdicas sobre el lavado de manos. En el piloto 2017 (cuatro localidades del norte argentino), se compararon las respuestas de niños previas y posteriores a la intervención.Los resultados de ambos estudios piloto indicaron que esta intervención tiene potencial para promover el conocimiento sobre los pasos que deben seguirse para un correcto lavado de manos.Although handwashing prevents serious infectious diseases at low cost, only one in five people wash their hands after using the bathroom. This study presents an interdisciplinary, short-term and low-cost intervention aimed at promoting knowledge about handwashing in 10-year-old children and two pilot studies to assess its impact. In the 2016 pilot study, conducted in Puerto Iguazú city, the responses to a survey about handwashing of children who participated and did not participate in the intervention were compared. The intervention consisted in playful activities in which children were instructed in different aspects of handwashing. In the 2017 pilot, carried out in four locations in northern Argentina, the responses of children before and after the intervention were compared. The results of both pilot studies indicated that this intervention has the potential to promote knowledge about the steps needed to achieve proper hand washing.Fil: Hermida, Maria Julia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundación Mundo Sano; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Hurlingham. Instituto de Educacion.; Argentina. Universidad Torcuato Di Tella; ArgentinaFil: Ramírez, Verónica Adriana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno". CEMIC-CONICET; ArgentinaFil: Goizueta, Carolina. Fundación Mundo Sano; ArgentinaFil: Periago, Maria Victoria. Fundación Mundo Sano; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Protected areas and spatial conservation priorities for endemic vertebrates of the Gran Chaco, one of the most threatened ecoregions of the world

Aim: To evaluate the representativeness of the current network of protected areas (PAs) of one of the most threatened ecoregions in the world, the South American Gran Chaco, and determine priority conservation areas for endemic (and nearly endemic) terrestrial vertebrates of the region. Location: South America. Methods: We identified all those amphibians, mammals and birds whose distributions were at least 70% within the Gran Chaco. Then, we refined and corrected species’ distributional ranges, first, using records from collections and expert knowledge, and second, by incorporating environmental and topographic data using a technique for range polygon refinement. Lastly, we used Zonation, a spatial conservation prioritization software, to evaluate representativeness of the current protected areas (PAs) network of the region and to define forest remnants to strategically expand PAs while maximizing the representativeness of the selected groups and considering human activities. Results: Current PAs cover 9% of the region and represent 9.1% of the total distribution of endemic species. Considering our prioritization, increasing the coverage to 17% to match the Aichi targets would substantially increase the representativeness of the PA network, covering on average more than 30% of the ranges of all endemic species and 77% of the distributions of threatened and DD endemic species. Main conclusions: Our results highlight that the need for well-informed decisions in the Gran Chaco is imperative. While the current PA network in the region ensures a very poor representation of endemic terrestrial vertebrates, opportunities to efficiently expand the PAs network are really high. This emphasizes the potential of complementarity-based systematic conservation planning tools as an essential support for conservation decisions. Given the great information gaps regarding biodiversity and human activities in the region, similar studies with updated data would improve conservation planning in the Gran Chaco in the future.Fil: Nori, Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Torres, Ricardo Marcelo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Museo de Zoología; ArgentinaFil: Lescano, Julián Norberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Cordier, Javier Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Periago, Maria Eugenia. Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Baldo, Juan Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentin

Operational satellite-based temporal modelling of Aedes population in Argentina

Aedes aegypti is a vector for Chikungunya, Dengue and Zika viruses in Latin America and is therefore a large public health problem for the region. For this reason, several inter-institutional and multidisciplinary efforts have been made to support vector control actions through the use of geospatial technologies. This study presents the development of an operational system for the application of free access to remotely sensed products capable of assessing the oviposition activity of Ae. aegypti in all of Argentina?s northern region with the specific aim to improve the current Argentine National Dengue risk system. Temporal modelling implemented includes remotely sensed variables like the normalized difference vegetation index, the normalized difference water index, day and night land surface temperature and precipitation data available from NASA?s tropical rainfall measuring mission and global precipitation measurement. As a training data set, four years of weekly mosquito oviposition data from four different cities in Argentina were used. A series of satellite-generated variables was built, downloading and resampling the these products both spatially and temporally. From an initial set of 41 variables chosen based on the correlation between these products and the oviposition series, a subset of 11 variables were preserved to develop temporal forecasting models of oviposition using a lineal multivariate method in the four cities. Subsequently, a general model was generated using data from the cities. Finally, in order to obtain a model that could be broadly used, an extrapolation method using the concept of environmental distance was developed. Although the system was oriented towards the surveillance of dengue fever, the methodology could also be applied to other relevant vector-borne diseases as well as other geographical regions in Latin America.Fil: Espinosa, Manuel. Fundación Mundo Sano; ArgentinaFil: Di Fino, Eliana Marina Alvarez. Fundación Mundo Sano; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Abril, Marcelo. Fundación Mundo Sano; ArgentinaFil: Lanfri, Mario. Centro Espacial Teófilo Tabanera; ArgentinaFil: Periago, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundación Mundo Sano; ArgentinaFil: Scavuzzo, Carlos Marcelo. Centro Espacial Teófilo Tabanera; Argentin